Computer updates Buccaneers' projected win total

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are coming off a 7-9 season in Bruce Arians' first year as their head coach and feel like they have the opportunity to make a significant jump heading into year two. And after what has already been an aggressive offseason, the Buccaneers have positioned themselves quite nicely for 2020.

Jameis Winston led the NFL in passing yards last season and threw 33 touchdown passes, but he also threw 30 interceptions. So Arians made quarterback a clear priority in free agency and the Buccaneers wound up coming away with the best player in the history of the position.

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It seemed like posturing all offseason that Tom Brady might leave the New England Patriots, but it actually happened as Brady signed a two-year, $50 million deal that is fully guaranteed. Brady now joins an offense that already contains two Pro Bowl wide receivers in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin and two quality tight ends in Cameron Brate and O.J. Howard.

Tampa Bay hasn't really done much else of note, but the Brady signing has launched them into the contention discussion. Arians' offense already ranked third in the NFL in scoring and total yards last season and now they're positioned to score with any team in the league.

Now, if they can use their remaining $23.8 million in cap space and the draft to address a defense that ranked 29th in points allowed (but 15th in total yards allowed), they've got an opportunity to make a quick rise in the standings. The Saints are still the gold standard in the division until proven otherwise and the Falcons and Panthers have both made strides early in 2020 NFL free agency, but the Buccaneers look poised to give New Orleans a run and look like playoff contenders regardless.

The SportsLine Projection Model has simulated the 2020 NFL season 10,000 times and predicts that the Buccaneers win 8.2 games on average, winning the division in 14.2 percent of simulations and making the playoffs 33.8 percent of the time. That's a massive jump from the 7.0 projected wins the model predicted prior to the start of free agency. Meanwhile, William Hill Sportsbook currently lists the Buccaneers at 16-1 to win the 2021 Super Bowl, which are the sixth-best odds in the NFL.